The bullet-riddled bodies of two fishermen were yesterday morning found on Shell Beach, Region One.
The two fishermen were identified as brothers Ian and Rakesh Matthias.
According to police divisional commander, Wendell Blanhum, an incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 2 where residents in the area would have heard gunshots. The commander told Stabroek News that the “rapid gunfire” lasted for approximately 30 minutes and at the time of that incident, the brothers were in the area, fishing in their vessel.
After the gunshots had ceased, their father, who was aware that the men were fishing in the area at the time, raised an alarm and went in search of the brothers but did not see them. Further, the boat that they would use to fish was gone. Blanhum noted that the police were subsequently contacted and they would have responded with the assistance of the Coast Guard and conducted searches but there was no sighting of the men or the vessel.
Yesterday morning, persons who reside in the area, discovered both bodies lying on the foreshore with what appeared to be gunshot wounds and one of the bodies bore chop wounds as well. An investigation by the police is currently ongoing.
There have been similar types of murders in this area over the years.
In March, 2009, two Pomeroon men were found murdered at Shell Beach. Romeo De Agrella, 41, and his 20-year-old son Clint De Agrella of Grant Strong, Lower Pomeroon, Essequibo died from bullet wounds.
